Gravitational Radiation from Point Masses in a Keplerian Orbit

Abstract

The gravitational radiation from two point masses going around each other under their mutual gravitational influence is calculated. Two different methods are outlined; one involves a multipole expansion of the radiation field, while the other uses the inertia tensor of the source. The calculations apply for arbitrary eccentricity of the relative orbit, but assume orbital velocities are small. The total rate, angular distribution, and polarization of the radiated energy are discussed.